The city and the children: drawings and paths from Morro do Estado (Niterói, RJ)

Abstract

This article proposes a dialogue between urban studies involving children and the reflection on urban policies that consider the multiplicity of its inhabitants in a more democratic and inclusive way. The article, methodologically, addresses the use of drawings in ethnographic research, promoting the dense analysis of narratives and drawings made by children aged 6 to 12 (and a 13 year old teenager), who live in Morro do Estado, Niterói (RJ). This resource served to communicate with the children and to trigger conversations, encouraging them to reflect on the themes of their daily lives and their view of the city. At the same time, it produced knowledge about the neighborhood, the city where they live, their ambiguities and desires.

Keywords:
anthropology of children; anthropology and drawing, city; ethnography with children